Wildcats learn, earn No. 2 seed

The Libertyville girls volleyball team has learned on the job this season.

Even though the Wildcats returned only two players with significant varsity experience, they take a 20-6 record into tonight's showdown at Stevenson. Last week Libertyville was rewarded with a No. 2 seed in the Class 4A Buffalo Grove sectional.

"I think part of why we got that seed was the people that played us recently realized how strong of a team we've become," coach Chris Trzyna said. "We've (improved) so much from the start of the season to where we are now."

Libertyville has not played Schaumburg, the No. 1 seed. The Wildcats defeated Hersey and Lake Zurich, the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds, respectively.

The Wildcats have been on a roll since rallying against Lake Zurich in an NSC Lake match. Libertyville also placed first at the Prospect Invitational.

"We've really stepped up our offense; we have the ability to go to any of our hitters," Trzyna said. "We've been very good on defense and our blocking has started to improve. That adds another dimension to our defense."

Stevenson (19-6, 4-0), the only undefeated team in the NSC Lake, earned the No. 3 seed in the Class 4A Niles North sectional. New Trier and Glenbrook North are the top two seeds.

The Niles North sectional features teams from five different conferences. The Patriots lost to New Trier and have not played Glenbrook North.

Stevenson had strung together 10 consecutive victories heading into last Saturday's Schaumburg tournament. Four of the Patriots' five losses were to teams with at least 15 wins.

"We've been serving really well and going on some good runs," coach Tim Crow said. "We're playing faster and getting to balls we weren't able to earlier in the year."

Antioch's 21-5 record impressed the coaches in the Class 3A Antioch sectional. The Sequoits, who are 6-0 in the Prairie Division, were voted the No. 3 seed.

Undefeated Crystal Lake Central is the No. 1 seed, and Marian Central took the No. 2 position. Antioch has not played either team, but the Sequoits are 8-2 against sectional opponents. Antioch split a pair of matches with No. 5 Harvard and No. 7 Wauconda. Vernon Hills is the No. 4 seed.

"That's about where I thought we would be," Antioch coach Glen Heitman said. "I don't think we've reached our peak yet. I know we can still improve. The girls are working hard because they have goals they want to meet."